First Regiment, Minnesota Volunteer Infantry

The First Minnesota Infantry was the first unit raised by the state to fight in the Civil War. It was also the first regiment from any state offered for national service. In each engagement, from the First Battle of Bull Run (July 1861), to the Peninsula Campaign (May-June 1862), to Antietam (September 1862), and Fredericksburg (December 1862), the First Minnesota solidified its reputation as one of the most courageous regiments in the Army of the Potomac. Its charge at Gettysburg (July 1863), one of most heralded in the Civil War, played a pivotal role in deciding a Union victory in the battle.

For more on the First Minnesota and its service, see the summary and additional resources listed in the History Topic page. The following manuscript collections are organized by military unit and alphabetized by the last name of the soldier. Each collection title is followed by the soldier's company and regiment number in parentheses, if applicable.

Descriptions are brief and may be incomplete. Follow the links below to the Minnesota Historical Society's online catalog and finding aids for full descriptions and call numbers.

Edmund Rice and Family Papers. (William Acker, C, 1st)Includes two September 1861 letters from Acker, later a Captain in the 16th U.S. Infantry, with minimal information on the regiment. Other letters describe the recovery of Ackers body after his death at the battle of Shiloh.

Amos Osmon Berry Civil War diary and transcript, 1861-1863 (E, 1st)Diary covering Berry's service from May 23, 1861 to July 3, 1863. The diary mentions the Battle of Bull Run, a visit by President Lincoln to the troops (July 8, 1862), the Battle of Antietam, the Battle of Fredericksburg, and the Battle of Gettysburg. Includes a typed transcript (1958).

Henry T. Bevans Papers, 1846, 1861 - 1911. (F, 1st)Correspondence and clippings cover Sergeant Bevans service in the Regiment, commission to Hatchs Battalion of Minnesota Cavalry, and resignation for work with the U.S. Secret Service.

Samuel Bloomer Papers, 1861 - 1920. (B, 1st)Color Sergeant Bloomers letters and diaries describe the battle of Antietam, where he lost a leg.

Daniel Bond Reminiscences, Undated. (F, 1st)Based on his diaries, Corporal Bonds 334 handwritten reminiscences cover his service with the Regiment and Battalion, his capture, and his imprisonment at Andersonville.

George R. Buckman Papers, 1863 - 1865. (G, 1st) Detailed and insightful daily journal of Sergeant Buckmans service in the Second Corps Hospital following Gettysburg through his muster out at Fort Snelling.

G. Merrill Dwelle and Family Papers, 1843 - 1896. (L, 1st)Descriptive letters and diary include activities of the Regiment during the Peninsular Campaign. (A second diary has a bullet hole from Antietam.)

Autobiographical Reminiscences of Everett W. Foster, 1933. (I, 1st)Reminiscences of Foster's two months' service with the Regiment in 1861. The collection (call number P939: Foster, Everett W.) can be viewed in theGale Family Libraryat the Minnesota History Center.

Joseph P. Garrison and Family Papers, 1859 - 1863, 1996. (F, 1st)Photocopies of letters from Fort Snelling and Virginia plus condolence letters from others in the Regiment following Garrisons wounding and capture at Bull Run and subsequent death in Richmond.

Orrin F. Smith and Family Papers, 1829 - 1932. (Charles Goddard, K, 1st)Around 113 letters from young Charles Goddard to his mother contain excellent trivia on life in the Regiment.

Hanford L. Gordon Papers, 1868 - 1920. (D, 1st)General materials on the Regiment and service of Gordon, later of literary note.

Mortimer Robinson and Family Papers, 1859 - 1874. (Seth Hammon, D, 1st)Lieutenant Hammon's copybook, dated November 1861 through October 1863, with numerous letters from unit members, plus additional material on Hammon, who served as a drummer boy. The papers (call number M66) can be viewed in the Gale Family Library at the Minnesota History Center.

Philip Rice Hamlin and Jacob Leslie Hamlin Papers, 1861 - 1865. (Phillip Rice Hamlin, F)Letters of Corporal, Sergeant and later First Sergeant Hamlin from 1861 to a few days before his death at Gettysburg. Letters from soldiers to his parents discuss his death.

Charles Muller, History of the First Minnesota Infantry Regiment, Company A. (A, 1st)Handwritten description of the Gettysburg Campaign prepared in later life. The collection (call number CCT.M958) can be viewed in the Gale Family Library at the Minnesota History Center.

Edward D. Neill and Family Papers, 1786-1931.Detailed letters of Presbyterian Minister Neill who served as regimental chaplain until July 1862 and as a personal secretary to Presidents Lincoln and Johnson, 1864 - 1865. Most are to his family and in a difficult-to-read hand.

Harrington and Merrill Family Papers, 1732 - 1963. (Lloyd Pendergast, D & I, 1st)Includes many letters dated 1861 to 1865, including a detailed account of the Battle of Bull Run. Pendergast transferred to the US Cavalry in October 1862.

Charles E. McColley, The Story of the First Minnesota at Gettysburg. (Ellet Perkins, D, 1st)Manuscript about the Regiment at Gettysburg includes details about Ellet Perkins. The collection (call number FE515.5) can be viewed in the Gale Family Library at the Minnesota History Center.

Abraham Edward Welch and Family Papers, 1830 - 1879. (F, 1st)Documents on Lieutenant Welchs career with the Regiment including wounding and capture at the Battle of Bull Run. Welch later served in the Dakota War and as a major in the Fourth Minnesota.

Alexander Wilkin and Family Papers, 1819 - 1864. (A, 1st)Correspondence of Captain Wilkin, later promoted to major and transferred to the Second Minnesota, and later colonel of the Ninth Minnesota until killed in action at Iuka.

James A. Wright Papers, 1907 - 1914, (F, 1st)Includes Lieutenant Wrights typescript history (The Story of C. F, First Regiment) of the company in which he served as corporal, sergeant and first sergeant. Published as No More Gallant A Deed. Also correspondence related to writing the history.